US4320753A - Malic acid polymers - Google Patents

Malic acid polymers Download PDF

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US4320753A
US4320753A US06/092,963 US9296379A US4320753A US 4320753 A US4320753 A US 4320753A US 9296379 A US9296379 A US 9296379A US 4320753 A US4320753 A US 4320753A
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acid
polymers
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Robert W. Lenz
Michel Vert
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Research Corp
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    • CCHEMISTRY; METALLURGY
    • C08ORGANIC MACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS; THEIR PREPARATION OR CHEMICAL WORKING-UP; COMPOSITIONS BASED THEREON
    • C08GMACROMOLECULAR COMPOUNDS OBTAINED OTHERWISE THAN BY REACTIONS ONLY INVOLVING UNSATURATED CARBON-TO-CARBON BONDS
    • C08G63/00Macromolecular compounds obtained by reactions forming a carboxylic ester link in the main chain of the macromolecule
    • C08G63/02Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids or from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds
    • C08G63/06Polyesters derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids or from polycarboxylic acids and polyhydroxy compounds derived from hydroxycarboxylic acids
    • C08G63/08Lactones or lactides
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61KPREPARATIONS FOR MEDICAL, DENTAL OR TOILETRY PURPOSES
    • A61K9/00Medicinal preparations characterised by special physical form
    • A61K9/20Pills, tablets, discs, rods
    • A61K9/2004Excipients; Inactive ingredients
    • A61K9/2022Organic macromolecular compounds
    • A61K9/2031Organic macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds, e.g. polyethylene glycol, polyethylene oxide, poloxamers
    • A61K9/204Polyesters, e.g. poly(lactide-co-glycolide)
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/22Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons containing macromolecular materials
    • A61L15/26Macromolecular compounds obtained otherwise than by reactions only involving carbon-to-carbon unsaturated bonds; Derivatives thereof
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/38Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons containing enzymes
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L15/00Chemical aspects of, or use of materials for, bandages, dressings or absorbent pads
    • A61L15/16Bandages, dressings or absorbent pads for physiological fluids such as urine or blood, e.g. sanitary towels, tampons
    • A61L15/42Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties
    • A61L15/64Use of materials characterised by their function or physical properties specially adapted to be resorbable inside the body
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61LMETHODS OR APPARATUS FOR STERILISING MATERIALS OR OBJECTS IN GENERAL; DISINFECTION, STERILISATION OR DEODORISATION OF AIR; CHEMICAL ASPECTS OF BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES; MATERIALS FOR BANDAGES, DRESSINGS, ABSORBENT PADS OR SURGICAL ARTICLES
    • A61L17/00Materials for surgical sutures or for ligaturing blood vessels ; Materials for prostheses or catheters
    • A61L17/06At least partially resorbable materials
    • A61L17/10At least partially resorbable materials containing macromolecular materials
    • A61L17/105Polyesters not covered by A61L17/12

Definitions

  • the present invention is directed to polymers prepared from ⁇ -malolactone or its derivatives.
  • the polymers of the present invention are obtained by polymerizing lactones of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R 1 and R 2 each may be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted aralkyl or the like; R 3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or --CH 2 ) n --COOR 8 where n is an integer of 1 to 10 or 0, preferably from 1 to 6; R 6 is OR, NR 4 R 5 or anions, wherein R and R 8 are independently a hydrogen or a group derived from a compound containing esterifiable hydroxyl groups, for instance alcohols, preferably C 1 -C 6 alcohols, more preferably methanol or ethanol, aromatic alcohols such as benzyl alcohols, phenols or may be a radical from a pharmaceutical which can be hydrolyzed to the active drug, a radical from an agricultural chemical such as a herbicide, fungicide, bacteriocide or fertilizer which may be
  • R 4 and R 5 may be alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or together may comprise an alkylene group containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms.
  • Preferred alkyl groups in the above definition are the C 1 -C 5 lower alkyl groups.
  • Preferred aryl is phenyl.
  • Preferred aralkyl is benzyl. These groups can be substituted with other lower alkyl groups, chloro, bromo, fluoro, cyano, nitro or ##STR3## wherein R 9 and R 10 are each hydrogen or lower alkyl.
  • lactones wherein R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are hydrogen may be derived from malic acid by esterification or amidation reaction. Lactones wherein R 3 is methyl and R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen may be prepared from naturally occurring citramalic acid while lactones wherein R 1 and R 2 are hydrogen and R 3 is methylene carboxy methyl or similar ester or amide group, may be prepared from citric acid. Alternative methods of preparing these compounds may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,444,735 and 2,456,503 to Hagemeyer. In addition, such lactones may be prepared from the ⁇ -halo derivative of dicarboxylic acids.
  • malic acid and its derivatives may be converted into the ⁇ -lactone of formula I by protecting one carboxylic acid group with the ⁇ -hydroxy group and subsequently protecting the remaining carboxyl group by esterification or amidation.
  • ⁇ -lactones can be readily polymerized by either anionic or cationic mechanisms, depending upon the substituents on the lactone ring according to the following scheme: ##STR4##
  • the polymer may have as terminal groups ##STR5## wherein R, R 1 , R 2 and R 3 are as defined previously and R 7 is hydrogen, a group derived from a compound containing esterifiable hydroxyl groups including C 1 -C 6 alcohols, phenols or the like.
  • R 3 is hydrogen
  • either acid or basic conditions may be employed for the polymerization process.
  • acidic conditions are preferably employed to obtain higher molecular weight polymers. If the free carboxyl group is desired, then the ester or amide groups in the polymer are simply converted into free carboxylic acid groups using conventional techniques which are selective for this reaction.
  • copolymers, terpolymers or the like of malic acid or its derivatives may prepared.
  • a mixture of the lactones of formula (I) containing both ester and amide groups may be employed to produce a polymer.
  • copolymers containing both ester and free acid groups, amide and free acid groups, or a combination of ester, amide and free acid groups are introduced into the polymer chain by conversion of the ester and/or amide groups.
  • the number of free acid groups may be readily controlled by use of appropriate reaction conditions as is readily apparent.
  • lactones or cyclic esters which may be copolymerized with the malolactones of the present invention include pivalolactone, caprolactone, ⁇ -propiolactone, tetramethylglycolide, ⁇ -butyrolactone, ⁇ -butyrolactone, intramolecular cyclic esters of ⁇ -hydroxybutyric acid, ⁇ -hydroxyisobutyric acid, ⁇ -hydroxyvaleric acid, ⁇ -hydroxyisovaleric acid, ⁇ -hyroxyethylbutyric acid, ⁇ -hydroxycaproic acid, ⁇ -hydroxy- ⁇ -methylvaleric acid, ⁇ -hydroxyisocaproic acid, ⁇ -hydroxyheptanoic acid, ⁇ -hydroxyoctanoic acid, ⁇ -hydroxydecanoic
  • Lactam and cyclic amides such as caprolactam, ⁇ -propiolactam, amino acid anhydride and the like may be used as comonomers.
  • epoxides such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide as well as cyclic ethers such as trioxane and oxetanes may also be copolymerized with the lactones of the present invention.
  • Such copolymers, terpolymer or the like may be prepared by copolymerizing from 5 to 95 mole % preferably from 10 to 50 mole % of the malolactone derivative with another comonomer or comonomers. Copolymers with 5 to 25 mole % of caprolactam result in a nylon which is more readily dyable because of the pendant carboxyl groups.
  • the stereoregularity of the polymers of the present invention may be regulated as desired.
  • a substantially amorphorous polymer may be obtained by polymerizing a racemic mixture of the malolactone ester or amide.
  • a more stereoregular polymer would be obtained by polymerizing either the D or L malolactone ester or amide.
  • mixtures of the D and L malolactone ester or amide can be employed wherein the ratio of the D to L isomer is varied.
  • a polymerization catalyst which causes stereospecific polymerization of the racemic monomer mixture such as trialkylaluminum compounds, can also be used to produce a polymer having the desired degree of stereoregularity.
  • ⁇ -lactones in general are known to polymerize by both anionic and cationic mechanisms depending upon the substituent on the lactone ring.
  • ⁇ -substituted- ⁇ -lactones polymerize only by cationic reactions with acid catalysts, presumably because of steric hinderance by substituents at the ⁇ -position. That is, the anionic polymerization reaction of ⁇ -lactones occurs predominantly, if not entirely, by ring opening of the alkyl-oxygen bond through nucleophilic attack at the ⁇ -position.
  • R 3 in the foregoing formula (I) is hydrogen
  • anionic initiators can be used to polymerize the ⁇ -lactone esters and amides.
  • anionic initiators it has been found that the molecular weight of the polymer produced is somewhat narrower than those obtained through the use of acid catalysts, and anionic initiators generally allow for more precise control over the molecular weight of the polymer produced.
  • the polymers of the present invention have a wide field of applicability.
  • One use for these polymers and copolymers is in the preparation of degradable sutures.
  • the polymers of the present invention degrade to malic acid which can be eliminated from the body via normal metabolic pathways.
  • the polymers of the present invention can be fabricated into bandages for wounds, burns or the like.
  • the polymers may have bound thereto medication for topical application to the wound.
  • antibiotics may be firmly bound to the polymers of the present invention and fabricated into a dressing for a wound. As the polymers degrade, the antibiotic is released into the wound site.
  • the medication could be an antibiotic designed to prevent or treat infection at the wound site or could be medication designed to aid in the treatment of the wound.
  • enzymes used in burn debridement may be bonded to these polymers.
  • the carboxyl groups on the polymers of the present invention can be converted into polyanions which have been recognized as having biomedical applications, see S. D. Bruck, Polymer Reprints, 19, No. 2, 220, 1978.
  • the polymers of the present invention provide a method of administering such polyanions to the human body.
  • the present polymers also may be used in slow release medication and for topical applications of medication.
  • the particular drug to be administered is firmly bonded to the polymer through the pendant carboxyl groups.
  • the polymer containing the medication may be ingested orally or injected directly into the blood stream whereby the normal metabolic or hydrolytic processes of the body will cause the polymer to degrade and release the drug into the system.
  • the polymer is implanted in the body whereby it slowly dissolves releasing the medication into the body stream.
  • the release rate may be varied by altering the water swellability of the polymer through regulation of either the composition or the stereoregularity of the polymer. The former is done by blocking the free carboxyl groups with esters or amides or the like, or by similar known techniques.
  • Local application of the drugs is achieved by implanting the polymer containing the drug at the desired site of drug application.
  • prostaglandins can be administered by bonding them to the polymer of the present invention and then implanting this material in the uterus. In this manner, prostaglandin material is released at the desired site.
  • antibiotics may be administered to the site of an infection by bonding them to the polymer of the present invention and then implanting this material at the site of the infection.
  • the polymer may be rendered water soluble by adjusting the free carboxylic acid content of the polymer.
  • the molecular weight of the polymer so injected is in the range of 20,000 to 60,000 (number average).
  • the release rate of the drug is directly correlated to the water swellability of the polymers.
  • the water swellability and solubility of the polymers can be altered by controlling the stereoregularity which decreases or increases the crystallinity of the polymers, and by the presence or absence of free carboxyl groups on the polymer. The more free carboxyl groups which are present, the greater the swellability of the polymer which in turn means the faster the polymer will degrade and the drug will be released.
  • the greater the degree of crystallinity in the polymer the less it will be swollen by body fluids and its rate of degradation will also be slower than for polymers of lesser degrees of crystallinity.
  • Biodegradable packaging may be prepared from the polymers of the present invention. Such packaging is prepared from the highly crystalline polymers which can be prepared using stereospecific catalysts. This packaging material has a low rate of water swellability such that it is suitable as packaging, but when disposed of, will slowly degrade to smaller units which would then be biodegradable.
  • the packaging can be fabricated into the form of films or rigid containers.
  • the polymers of the present invention may also be used to condition water to prevent calcium carbonate deposits. Such deposits present particular problems where water is used for repetitive cooling cycles as is commonly done in the chemical industry.
  • the polymers of this invention may be used in place of the polyacrylic acid compounds presently used.
  • the molecular weight of the polymers of the present invention can be selected as desired. Number average molecular weights of from 5,000 to 150,000 are typical. The particular molecular weight would be chosen depending upon the final end use and is readily determined by those skilled in the art.
  • the polymerization of the present invention can either be carried out in solution or in bulk. Suitable solvents for carrying out the polymerization of the solution include toluene, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, acetonitrile, and other solvents in which the monomer is soluble.
  • the temperature of polymerization is not particularly critical. At low temperatures the rate of polymerization will be slow while at more elevated temperatures, the rate of polymerization will proceed rapidly. Temperatures from 0° C. to in excess of 100° C. can be readily employed with temperatures of room temperature to 60° C. being preferred. The upper limit on the temperature is not critical, especially when using the racemic mixture of the malolactone ester or amide. However, when either the D or L form in substantially pure form is to be polymerized, care should be taken not to conduct the polymerization at temperatures at which either the pure D or pure L form is racemized.
  • acid or base polymerization initiators may be employed such as betaine, triethylamine, iron trichloride, triethylaluminum, Et 4 N + Bz - , or other tetraalkyl ammonium carboxylate salts, zinc carbonate, basic zinc carbonate, diethylzinc, titanium, magnesium or barium compounds, litharage, stannous octoate and the like.
  • acid or base polymerization initiators may be employed such as betaine, triethylamine, iron trichloride, triethylaluminum, Et 4 N + Bz - , or other tetraalkyl ammonium carboxylate salts, zinc carbonate, basic zinc carbonate, diethylzinc, titanium, magnesium or barium compounds, litharage, stannous octoate and the like.
  • the polymerization process of U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,456 may also be employed.
  • ester or amide After polymerization of the malolactone ester or amide it is possible to convert the ester or amide group to the free carboxylic acid group.
  • ester or amides radicals which may be readily removed under mild conditions so that the polymer backbone is not broken.
  • Particularly preferred are the methyl and ethyl esters which may be hydrolyzed under very mild conditions and the benzyl ester which can be removed by hydrogenylosis of the ester polymer. The use of hydrogenylosis eliminates the possibility of the polymer backbone being degraded during the preparation of the free carboxyl groups.
  • the polymers produced by the present invention can be processed using conventional processing techniques to produce fibers, films and the like. If desired, the polymers of the present invention can be cross-linked using suitable cross-linking agents which will react with the pendant carboxyl groups, such as diols, triols and the like. Suitable procedures disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,575,907; 3,297,033; 3,299,171 and 3,636,956 may be used to process these new polymers.
  • the polymers wherein the pendant carboxyl group is protected with an ester, amide or similar moiety may be melt processed or solution processed. When the carboxyl group is the free acid, it is generally preferred to process the polymer as a solution.
  • Bromosuccinic anhydride was prepared by refluxing 60 g of acetyl chloride containing 50 g (0.253 mole) of commercial bromosuccinic acid up to complete dissolution of the latter. After removing the excess acetyl chloride and the acetic acid formed by simple distillation, bromosuccinic anhydride (35 g) was vacuum distilled (93° C./0.3 mm Hg). To this collected bromosuccinic anhydride (0.195 mole), 21 g (0.195 mole) of benzyl alcohol was added. The mixture was allowed to stir overnight at room temperature to yield 56 g of a mixture of the two bromosuccinic acid monobenzyl ester isomers I and II.
  • MLABE was polymerized in capped vessels under dry nitrogen atmosphere using the self-sealing liner and the hypodermic technics in a glove-bag filled up with dry nitrogen.
  • Reagents were added in the following order: solvent, catalyst or initiator, monomer. Mixtures were stirred at fixed temperature throughout the polymerization. Then, the solvent was evaporated (when present) and the residue was dissolved in acetone to make a 20% solution. A few drops of HCl were added and PMLABE's were precipitated by methanol (final composition: 80/20-V/V-methanol/acetone). The process was repeated once under the same conditions but in the presence of HCl. At last, the product was dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. The results are reported in Table 1.
  • the hydrogenation was carried out at room temperature in a 50/50 ethyl acetate/ethanol solvent mixture. Despite the polymeric character of the organic compound to be treated, the cleavage proceeded progressively and quantitatively.
  • Optically active malolactone benzyl esters from which optically active polymers may be prepared were prepared as follows:
  • the carboxylic acid group was protected with ⁇ -hydroxy group by admixing 2.68 gms of L-malic acid and with 4.4 gms of chloral and 5 cc of concentrated sulfuric acid at 0° C.
  • the acid chloride was converted into the thiol ester by reacting 4.34 gms of the acid chloride with 7.54 gms of thallium dodecyl mercaptor in 25 ml of THF.
  • optically active malolactone benzyl ester may be polymerized in accordance with the procedure of Example 1 to prepare an optically active polymer.

Abstract

A polymer containing repeating units of the formula: ##STR1## wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted aralkyl, R3 is hydrogen, alkyl or CH2n COOR8 where n is an integer of 0 to 10, R6 is OR or NR4 R5, wherein R and R8 are independently hydrogen or a group derived from a compound containing esterifiable hydroxyl groups, R4 and R5 are independently alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted aralkyl or together comprise an alkylene group.

Description

This application is a division of Ser. No. 092,183, filed Nov. 7, 1979, now U.S. Pat. No. 4,265,247.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention is directed to polymers prepared from β-malolactone or its derivatives.
2. Description of the Prior Art
In recent years there has been an increase in the interest in the use of synthetic polymers for biomedical and pharmacological applications in particular as absorbable suture material, drug carriers for slow release medication and the like. It has been suggested in the prior art to manufacture synthetic absorbable sutures from polyesters of hydroxycarboxylic acids, notably polylactide, polyglycolide and copolymers of lactide and glycolide. Such synthetic suture materials are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,636,956 and 2,297,033.
There exists a need, however, for polymeric materials which not only may be degraded, but wherein the low molecular weight residues can be metabolized by normal metabolic pathways. Additionally, there exists a need for synthetic materials to which drugs may be bonded to provide for a local application of the drug and/or slow release of the drug to the body. In addition, it is highly desirable that such synthetic polymers be prepared from naturally occurring materials in view of the greatly increased cost of petrochemicals.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to prepare polymers containing pendant carboxyl groups.
It is an additional object of the present invention to produce synthetic polymers from naturally occurring substances.
It is a further object of the present invention to develop synthetic polymers which degrade in the human body and whose degradation products may be eliminated by the normal metabolic pathways.
It is still a further object of the present invention to provide for synthetic polymers which can act as drug carriers for localized applications or slow release of drugs to the body.
These and other objects of the present invention have been attained through the preparation of polymers of malic acid and its derivatives.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The polymers of the present invention are obtained by polymerizing lactones of the formula: ##STR2## wherein R1 and R2 each may be hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted aralkyl or the like; R3 is hydrogen, lower alkyl, or --CH2)n --COOR8 where n is an integer of 1 to 10 or 0, preferably from 1 to 6; R6 is OR, NR4 R5 or anions, wherein R and R8 are independently a hydrogen or a group derived from a compound containing esterifiable hydroxyl groups, for instance alcohols, preferably C1 -C6 alcohols, more preferably methanol or ethanol, aromatic alcohols such as benzyl alcohols, phenols or may be a radical from a pharmaceutical which can be hydrolyzed to the active drug, a radical from an agricultural chemical such as a herbicide, fungicide, bacteriocide or fertilizer which may be hydrolyzed to release the active chemical, or it may be a radical from a cosmetic which may be hydrolyzed to the free cosmetic. In this manner such chemicals may be converted into slow release compositions. R4 and R5 may be alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, or together may comprise an alkylene group containing from 3 to 7 carbon atoms. Preferred alkyl groups in the above definition are the C1 -C5 lower alkyl groups. Preferred aryl is phenyl. Preferred aralkyl is benzyl. These groups can be substituted with other lower alkyl groups, chloro, bromo, fluoro, cyano, nitro or ##STR3## wherein R9 and R10 are each hydrogen or lower alkyl.
The lactones wherein R1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen may be derived from malic acid by esterification or amidation reaction. Lactones wherein R3 is methyl and R1 and R2 are hydrogen may be prepared from naturally occurring citramalic acid while lactones wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen and R3 is methylene carboxy methyl or similar ester or amide group, may be prepared from citric acid. Alternative methods of preparing these compounds may be found in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,444,735 and 2,456,503 to Hagemeyer. In addition, such lactones may be prepared from the β-halo derivative of dicarboxylic acids.
In particlar, malic acid and its derivatives may be converted into the β-lactone of formula I by protecting one carboxylic acid group with the α-hydroxy group and subsequently protecting the remaining carboxyl group by esterification or amidation.
The β-lactones can be readily polymerized by either anionic or cationic mechanisms, depending upon the substituents on the lactone ring according to the following scheme: ##STR4##
The polymer may have as terminal groups ##STR5## wherein R, R1, R2 and R3 are as defined previously and R7 is hydrogen, a group derived from a compound containing esterifiable hydroxyl groups including C1 -C6 alcohols, phenols or the like.
When R3 is hydrogen, either acid or basic conditions may be employed for the polymerization process. When R3 is other than hydrogen, acidic conditions are preferably employed to obtain higher molecular weight polymers. If the free carboxyl group is desired, then the ester or amide groups in the polymer are simply converted into free carboxylic acid groups using conventional techniques which are selective for this reaction.
In addition to the preparation of homopolymers, copolymers, terpolymers or the like of malic acid or its derivatives may prepared. For example, a mixture of the lactones of formula (I) containing both ester and amide groups may be employed to produce a polymer. In addition, it is possible to prepare copolymers containing both ester and free acid groups, amide and free acid groups, or a combination of ester, amide and free acid groups. The free acid groups are introduced into the polymer chain by conversion of the ester and/or amide groups. The number of free acid groups may be readily controlled by use of appropriate reaction conditions as is readily apparent.
In addition, copolymers with other lactones, cyclic esters, lactams or cyclic amides containing up to 5, 6 or 7 members in the ring may also be prepared. Suitable lactones or cyclic esters which may be copolymerized with the malolactones of the present invention include pivalolactone, caprolactone, β-propiolactone, tetramethylglycolide, β-butyrolactone, γ-butyrolactone, intramolecular cyclic esters of α-hydroxybutyric acid, α-hydroxyisobutyric acid, α-hydroxyvaleric acid, α-hydroxyisovaleric acid, α-hyroxyethylbutyric acid, α-hydroxycaproic acid, α-hydroxy-β-methylvaleric acid, α-hydroxyisocaproic acid, α-hydroxyheptanoic acid, α-hydroxyoctanoic acid, α-hydroxydecanoic acid, α-hydroxymyristic acid, α-hydroxystearic acid, α-hydroxylignoceric acid and the like, glycolide and lactide. Lactam and cyclic amides such as caprolactam, β-propiolactam, amino acid anhydride and the like may be used as comonomers. In addition, epoxides such as ethylene oxide and propylene oxide as well as cyclic ethers such as trioxane and oxetanes may also be copolymerized with the lactones of the present invention. Such copolymers, terpolymer or the like may be prepared by copolymerizing from 5 to 95 mole % preferably from 10 to 50 mole % of the malolactone derivative with another comonomer or comonomers. Copolymers with 5 to 25 mole % of caprolactam result in a nylon which is more readily dyable because of the pendant carboxyl groups.
The stereoregularity of the polymers of the present invention may be regulated as desired. A substantially amorphorous polymer may be obtained by polymerizing a racemic mixture of the malolactone ester or amide. On the other hand, a more stereoregular polymer would be obtained by polymerizing either the D or L malolactone ester or amide. If it is desired to produce compounds of intermediate stereoregularity, mixtures of the D and L malolactone ester or amide can be employed wherein the ratio of the D to L isomer is varied. Furthermore, the use of a polymerization catalyst which causes stereospecific polymerization of the racemic monomer mixture, such as trialkylaluminum compounds, can also be used to produce a polymer having the desired degree of stereoregularity.
β-lactones in general are known to polymerize by both anionic and cationic mechanisms depending upon the substituent on the lactone ring. In general, however, β-substituted-β-lactones polymerize only by cationic reactions with acid catalysts, presumably because of steric hinderance by substituents at the β-position. That is, the anionic polymerization reaction of β-lactones occurs predominantly, if not entirely, by ring opening of the alkyl-oxygen bond through nucleophilic attack at the β-position. Nevertheless, it has now been found that when R3 in the foregoing formula (I) is hydrogen, anionic initiators can be used to polymerize the β-lactone esters and amides. When employing anionic initiators it has been found that the molecular weight of the polymer produced is somewhat narrower than those obtained through the use of acid catalysts, and anionic initiators generally allow for more precise control over the molecular weight of the polymer produced.
The polymers of the present invention have a wide field of applicability. One use for these polymers and copolymers is in the preparation of degradable sutures. The polymers of the present invention degrade to malic acid which can be eliminated from the body via normal metabolic pathways. In addition, the polymers of the present invention can be fabricated into bandages for wounds, burns or the like. If desired, the polymers may have bound thereto medication for topical application to the wound. For example, antibiotics may be firmly bound to the polymers of the present invention and fabricated into a dressing for a wound. As the polymers degrade, the antibiotic is released into the wound site. The medication could be an antibiotic designed to prevent or treat infection at the wound site or could be medication designed to aid in the treatment of the wound. For instance, enzymes used in burn debridement may be bonded to these polymers.
The carboxyl groups on the polymers of the present invention can be converted into polyanions which have been recognized as having biomedical applications, see S. D. Bruck, Polymer Reprints, 19, No. 2, 220, 1978. Thus, the polymers of the present invention provide a method of administering such polyanions to the human body. The present polymers also may be used in slow release medication and for topical applications of medication. The particular drug to be administered is firmly bonded to the polymer through the pendant carboxyl groups. For slow release, the polymer containing the medication may be ingested orally or injected directly into the blood stream whereby the normal metabolic or hydrolytic processes of the body will cause the polymer to degrade and release the drug into the system. Alternatively, the polymer is implanted in the body whereby it slowly dissolves releasing the medication into the body stream. For all the injested or implanted systems the release rate may be varied by altering the water swellability of the polymer through regulation of either the composition or the stereoregularity of the polymer. The former is done by blocking the free carboxyl groups with esters or amides or the like, or by similar known techniques. Local application of the drugs is achieved by implanting the polymer containing the drug at the desired site of drug application. For example, prostaglandins can be administered by bonding them to the polymer of the present invention and then implanting this material in the uterus. In this manner, prostaglandin material is released at the desired site. Similarly, antibiotics may be administered to the site of an infection by bonding them to the polymer of the present invention and then implanting this material at the site of the infection. For injection applications, the polymer may be rendered water soluble by adjusting the free carboxylic acid content of the polymer. The molecular weight of the polymer so injected is in the range of 20,000 to 60,000 (number average).
In implantation or injection techniques the release rate of the drug is directly correlated to the water swellability of the polymers. The water swellability and solubility of the polymers can be altered by controlling the stereoregularity which decreases or increases the crystallinity of the polymers, and by the presence or absence of free carboxyl groups on the polymer. The more free carboxyl groups which are present, the greater the swellability of the polymer which in turn means the faster the polymer will degrade and the drug will be released. The greater the degree of crystallinity in the polymer, the less it will be swollen by body fluids and its rate of degradation will also be slower than for polymers of lesser degrees of crystallinity. Because of its lower water swellability and lower rate of degradation, the lower the rate of drug release will be with increasing crystallinity. A combination of controlled crystallinity and controlled number of free carboxyl groups can be used to achieve the desired release rate. In addition, by using an admixture of polymers having different degrees of swellability and degradation rates, it is possible to achieve a release of drugs into the body system over a great period of time. For example, by bonding the drug to be delivered to a mixture of polymers having different degrees of crystallinity or different levels of free carboxyl groups, or a combination thereof, it is possible to fabricate a device which will release a drug into the body system over a long period of time. The medication bonded to that portion of the device fabricated from polymers having a rapid rate of degradation would be released comparatively quickly, while that bonded to the polymers which degraded more slowly would be released over longer periods of time.
Alternative methods of manufacturing slow release medications involve encapsulation of the medicine in capsules prepared from polymers of the present invention. By employing a mixture of capsules each having a different water swellability and rate of degradation, it is possible to produce slow release medication which is released over a long period of time at a consistent rate.
Biodegradable packaging may be prepared from the polymers of the present invention. Such packaging is prepared from the highly crystalline polymers which can be prepared using stereospecific catalysts. This packaging material has a low rate of water swellability such that it is suitable as packaging, but when disposed of, will slowly degrade to smaller units which would then be biodegradable. The packaging can be fabricated into the form of films or rigid containers.
The polymers of the present invention may also be used to condition water to prevent calcium carbonate deposits. Such deposits present particular problems where water is used for repetitive cooling cycles as is commonly done in the chemical industry. The polymers of this invention may be used in place of the polyacrylic acid compounds presently used.
The molecular weight of the polymers of the present invention can be selected as desired. Number average molecular weights of from 5,000 to 150,000 are typical. The particular molecular weight would be chosen depending upon the final end use and is readily determined by those skilled in the art.
The polymerization of the present invention can either be carried out in solution or in bulk. Suitable solvents for carrying out the polymerization of the solution include toluene, benzene, tetrahydrofuran, dimethyl sulfoxide, dimethyl formamide, acetonitrile, and other solvents in which the monomer is soluble. The temperature of polymerization is not particularly critical. At low temperatures the rate of polymerization will be slow while at more elevated temperatures, the rate of polymerization will proceed rapidly. Temperatures from 0° C. to in excess of 100° C. can be readily employed with temperatures of room temperature to 60° C. being preferred. The upper limit on the temperature is not critical, especially when using the racemic mixture of the malolactone ester or amide. However, when either the D or L form in substantially pure form is to be polymerized, care should be taken not to conduct the polymerization at temperatures at which either the pure D or pure L form is racemized.
As indicated previously, either acid or base polymerization initiators may be employed such as betaine, triethylamine, iron trichloride, triethylaluminum, Et4 N+ Bz-, or other tetraalkyl ammonium carboxylate salts, zinc carbonate, basic zinc carbonate, diethylzinc, titanium, magnesium or barium compounds, litharage, stannous octoate and the like. Further, the polymerization process of U.S. Pat. No. 3,471,456 may also be employed.
After polymerization of the malolactone ester or amide it is possible to convert the ester or amide group to the free carboxylic acid group. When it is desired to produce polymers containing free carboxyl pendant groups, it is preferred to employ as the ester or amides radicals which may be readily removed under mild conditions so that the polymer backbone is not broken. Particularly preferred are the methyl and ethyl esters which may be hydrolyzed under very mild conditions and the benzyl ester which can be removed by hydrogenylosis of the ester polymer. The use of hydrogenylosis eliminates the possibility of the polymer backbone being degraded during the preparation of the free carboxyl groups.
The polymers produced by the present invention can be processed using conventional processing techniques to produce fibers, films and the like. If desired, the polymers of the present invention can be cross-linked using suitable cross-linking agents which will react with the pendant carboxyl groups, such as diols, triols and the like. Suitable procedures disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,575,907; 3,297,033; 3,299,171 and 3,636,956 may be used to process these new polymers. The polymers wherein the pendant carboxyl group is protected with an ester, amide or similar moiety may be melt processed or solution processed. When the carboxyl group is the free acid, it is generally preferred to process the polymer as a solution.
Having generally described this invention, a further understanding can be obtained by reference to certain specific examples which are provided herein for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to be limiting unless otherwise specified.
EXAMPLE 1 Synthesis of malolactonic acid benyzl ester (MLABE)
Bromosuccinic anhydride was prepared by refluxing 60 g of acetyl chloride containing 50 g (0.253 mole) of commercial bromosuccinic acid up to complete dissolution of the latter. After removing the excess acetyl chloride and the acetic acid formed by simple distillation, bromosuccinic anhydride (35 g) was vacuum distilled (93° C./0.3 mm Hg). To this collected bromosuccinic anhydride (0.195 mole), 21 g (0.195 mole) of benzyl alcohol was added. The mixture was allowed to stir overnight at room temperature to yield 56 g of a mixture of the two bromosuccinic acid monobenzyl ester isomers I and II. This crude mixture, placed in a 2 l three-necked flask equipped with a condenser, an efficient stirring system and a dropping funnel, was neutralized with 16.4 g of NaHCO3 dissolved in 400 cm3 of water. Then, 300 cm3 of diethyl ether were added and then 100 cm3 of a 2 M AgNO3 water solution was added slowly in four hours. The ethereal phase was separated, washed twice with water containing a small amount of NaHCO3 and allowed to stand overnight in the presence of anhydrous sodium sulfate. After filtration and distillation of the solvent, the viscous residue was vacuum distilled twice on CaH2 (95° C./0.005 mm Hg). At last, 6 g of malolactonic acid benzyl ester were obtained. (Elem. anal.: theor. C%=64.05; H%=4.85; found C%=65.18, H%=4.86).
Polymerization of MLABE
MLABE was polymerized in capped vessels under dry nitrogen atmosphere using the self-sealing liner and the hypodermic technics in a glove-bag filled up with dry nitrogen. Reagents were added in the following order: solvent, catalyst or initiator, monomer. Mixtures were stirred at fixed temperature throughout the polymerization. Then, the solvent was evaporated (when present) and the residue was dissolved in acetone to make a 20% solution. A few drops of HCl were added and PMLABE's were precipitated by methanol (final composition: 80/20-V/V-methanol/acetone). The process was repeated once under the same conditions but in the presence of HCl. At last, the product was dried in a vacuum oven at 50° C. The results are reported in Table 1.
Removal of benzyl protective groups from PMLABE
PMLABE (1.935 g, run no. 3) was dissolved in 15 cm3 of ethyl acetate. Then, 15 cm3 of ethyl alcohol and 400 mg of 10% Pd on charcoal were added. The flask was connected to a volumetric tank. After purging, the hydrogenation device was filled up with hydrogen at the atmospheric pressure and a regular stirring was started. The consumption of hydrogen was measured and standardized to normal temperature and pressure conditions. Samples of 2 cm3 (120 mg of polymer) were removed from the reaction medium at different times in order to follow the progress of the hydrogenation reaction by IR spectrometry.
                                  TABLE 1                                 
__________________________________________________________________________
POLYMERIZATION OF MALOLACTONIC ACID BENZYL ESTER (MLABE)                  
BY USING DIFFERENT INITIATOR OR CATALYST SYSTEMS                          
                  Polymerization.sup.(c)                                  
 Run n°                                                            
     mole.l.sup.-1(M)                                                     
          or CatalystInitiator                                            
                ##STR6##                                                  
                   °C.temp                                         
                      daystime                                            
                         %conv.                                           
                             %Yield.sup.(d)                               
                                  --M .sup.(f) .sub.GPC                   
                                       °C.M.sup.(g) .sub.p         
__________________________________________________________________________
1   bulk Betaine.sup.(b)                                                  
               10.sup.-3                                                  
                  60  3 100 30  2.5 × 10.sup.3                      
                                     --                                   
2   bulk N Et.sub.3                                                       
               10.sup.-3                                                  
                  RT 21  65 40  7 × 10.sup.3                        
                                     79                                   
3   bulk Betaine.sup.(b)                                                  
               10.sup.-3                                                  
                  RT 21  80 55  7 × 10.sup.3                        
                                     80                                   
4   bulk tetraethyl                                                       
               10.sup.-3                                                  
                  50  7  40 20  2 × 10.sup. 3                       
                                     --                                   
         ammonium                                                         
         benzoate                                                         
5   2.5  FeCl.sub.3                                                       
               10.sup.-2                                                  
                  50  7  -- 30    -- 76                                   
    (toluene)                                                             
6   2.5  AlEt.sub.3                                                       
               10.sup.-2                                                  
                  50  7  -- 10.sup.(e)                                    
                                  -- 165-185                              
    (toluene)                                                             
__________________________________________________________________________
 .sup.(a) crude monomer before vacuum distillation                        
 .sup.(b) Me.sub.3 N.sup.+CH.sub.2COO.sup.- from dried betaine monohydrate
 .sup.(c) deduced from Ir of the reaction mixture (lactone CO at 1855     
 cm.sup.-1)                                                               
 .sup.(d) calculated from the polymer isolated after two precipitations   
 .sup.(e) fraction insoluble in acetone                                   
 .sup.(f) based on polystyrene standards                                  
 .sup.(g) from endothermic peaks observed in DSC                          
EXAMPLE 2
Side chain benzyl ester groups of a sample of PMLABE (run 3 in Table 1) were selectively cleaved to the corresponding free carboxylic acid compounds by using catalytic hydrogenolysis.
The hydrogenation was carried out at room temperature in a 50/50 ethyl acetate/ethanol solvent mixture. Despite the polymeric character of the organic compound to be treated, the cleavage proceeded progressively and quantitatively.
After 40 minutes, no further hydrogen was absorbed, indicating that the theoretical hydrogen uptake was reached for a total removal of all the protecting groups. Poly-β-malic acid was then isolated as a highly hygroscopic white powder after filtration of the catalyst and vacuum evaporation of the solvents.
EXAMPLE 3
Optically active malolactone benzyl esters from which optically active polymers may be prepared were prepared as follows:
The carboxylic acid group was protected with α-hydroxy group by admixing 2.68 gms of L-malic acid and with 4.4 gms of chloral and 5 cc of concentrated sulfuric acid at 0° C. The following reaction occurs: ##STR7## 13.2 gms of the malic acid and chloralide were recovered and the free carboxyl group converted to the acid chloride groups by refluxing in 21.5 cc of thionyl chloride for 72 hours.
The acid chloride was converted into the thiol ester by reacting 4.34 gms of the acid chloride with 7.54 gms of thallium dodecyl mercaptor in 25 ml of THF.
2 gms of the resulting thiol ester is added to 10 ml of dimethyl formamide and 10 ml of pyridine and heated to 50° C. Four portions of concentrated HCl totally 2 ml are then added. A product of the following formula is recovered: ##STR8##
The free carboxyl group in this product is converted to the benzyl ester by reacting 2 gms with 65 ml of benzyl alcohol and 0.01 ml of methane sulfonic acid in 30 ml of benzene. This resulting benzyl ester was converted into malolactone benzyl ester following the procedure of S. Masamura et al, J.A.C.S. 98, 7874 (1976) according to the following reaction scheme: ##STR9##
The optically active malolactone benzyl ester may be polymerized in accordance with the procedure of Example 1 to prepare an optically active polymer.
Having now fully described this invention, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention set forth herein.

Claims (5)

What is claimed as new and intended to be covered by Letters Patent is:
1. A bandage prepared from a polymer containing repeating units of the formula: ##STR10## wherein R1 and R2 are independently hydrogen, alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted aralkyl, R3 is hydrogen, alkyl or --CH2)n COOR8 where n is an integer of 0 to 10, R6 is OR or NR4 R5, wherein R and R8 are independently hydrogen or a group derived from a compound containing esterifiable hydroxyl groups, R4 and R5 are independently alkyl, aryl, aralkyl, substituted alkyl, substituted aryl, substituted aralkyl or together comprise an alkylene group.
2. A bandage prepared from the copolymer of claim 1, wherein R1, R2 and R3 are hydrogen.
3. A bandage prepared from the copolymer of claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen and R3 is methyl.
4. A bandage prepared from the copolymer of claim 1, wherein R1 and R2 are hydrogen and R3 is --CH2)n COOR8.
5. The bandage of any one of claims 2, 3 or 4, wherein R is an enzyme used in burn debridement.
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Cited By (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4813942A (en) * 1987-03-17 1989-03-21 Bioderm, Inc. Three step wound treatment method and dressing therefor
US5516883A (en) * 1992-12-11 1996-05-14 Takasago International Corporation Biodegradable optically active copolymer and process for producing the same
WO2005035010A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-21 Coloplast A/S Wound dressing containing proteolytic enzymes
US20070005130A1 (en) * 2005-06-29 2007-01-04 Thierry Glauser Biodegradable polymer for coating
US20070117937A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2007-05-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Polyhydroxyalkanoic acid having ester, carboxyl or sulfonic acid group and producing method thereor
CN101487034B (en) * 2009-02-23 2013-06-05 中国科学院过程工程研究所 Preparation of beta-poly malic acid and salt thereof
US9067002B2 (en) 2006-07-14 2015-06-30 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Tailored aliphatic polyesters for stent coatings

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3419006A (en) * 1966-08-08 1968-12-31 Union Carbide Corp Novel dressing and use thereof
US3983095A (en) * 1973-02-12 1976-09-28 The Dow Chemical Company Absorbent fibers and process for their preparation

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3419006A (en) * 1966-08-08 1968-12-31 Union Carbide Corp Novel dressing and use thereof
US3983095A (en) * 1973-02-12 1976-09-28 The Dow Chemical Company Absorbent fibers and process for their preparation

Cited By (12)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4813942A (en) * 1987-03-17 1989-03-21 Bioderm, Inc. Three step wound treatment method and dressing therefor
US5516883A (en) * 1992-12-11 1996-05-14 Takasago International Corporation Biodegradable optically active copolymer and process for producing the same
WO2005035010A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-04-21 Coloplast A/S Wound dressing containing proteolytic enzymes
US20050113731A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2005-05-26 Qvist Micheal H. Dressing
US7368128B2 (en) 2003-10-10 2008-05-06 Coloplast A/S Controlled release dressing for enzymatic debridement of necrotic and non-viable tissue in a wound
US20080279842A1 (en) * 2003-10-10 2008-11-13 Coloplast A/S Controlled release dressing for enzymatic debridement of necrotic and non-viable tissue in a wound
US20070117937A1 (en) * 2004-06-11 2007-05-24 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Polyhydroxyalkanoic acid having ester, carboxyl or sulfonic acid group and producing method thereor
US7589156B2 (en) 2004-06-11 2009-09-15 Canon Kabushiki Kaisha Polyhydroxyalkanoic acid having ester, carboxyl or sulfonic acid group, and producing method therefor
US20070005130A1 (en) * 2005-06-29 2007-01-04 Thierry Glauser Biodegradable polymer for coating
WO2007005253A1 (en) * 2005-06-29 2007-01-11 Advanced Cardiovascular Systems, Inc. Biodegradable polymer for coating
US9067002B2 (en) 2006-07-14 2015-06-30 Abbott Cardiovascular Systems Inc. Tailored aliphatic polyesters for stent coatings
CN101487034B (en) * 2009-02-23 2013-06-05 中国科学院过程工程研究所 Preparation of beta-poly malic acid and salt thereof

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